Dress lift

ABSTRACT

Implementations of a dress lift are provided. In some implementations, the dress lift comprises a body portion having a first clothing receiving opening and a second clothing receiving opening. In some implementations, the dress lift may be secured to an article of clothing by gathering material of the clothing together and inserting the gathered material through the first clothing receiving opening from a back side thereof and pulling the gathered material through the first clothing receiving opening and then inserting the pulled portion of the gathered material through the second clothing receiving opening from a front side thereof and pulling the gathered material through the second clothing receiving opening.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/912,077, which was filed on Dec. 5, 2013, and is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a dress lift.

BACKGROUND

Dresses or skirt come in a variety of lengths. Long dresses,particularly maxi dresses, or skirts when worn may be longer than thewearer desires. For example, the dress or skirt may extend to or nearthe ground thereby making walking more difficult. Furthermore, if thebottom of the dress or skirt touches the ground, the bottom of theapparel may become damaged from dragging on the ground or snagging onforeign objects. Typically, to avoid the above problems, the wearer, maylift a portion of the dress or skirt to walk more easily or to avoiddamages the apparel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,232 (“'232 patent”) discloses a bustling hoopconstructed to support the train of a bridal gown. The '232 patentdiscloses a hoop member with an interior area having a bar extendingthereacross so as to define a first train receiving area and a secondtrain receiving area. To use the bustling hoop, the end of the train islifted and then threaded through the first train receiving area of thedevice. In particular, the end is inserted through the back of the hoopmember and then pulled from the back of the hoop member through thefirst train receiving area to a front of the hoop member. This pulledend is then inserted through the front of the second train receivingarea and pulled toward the back of the hoop member.

The '232 patent discloses an alternate embodiment wherein the device hasa hoop member 52 having a first bar 54 and a second bar 56 extendinghorizontally thereacross. The inner edge 58 of the hoop member 52 andthe edge 60 thereby defining a an upper train receiving area 62, a lowertrain receiving area 66, and a central train receiving area 72.

In use, the train is initially inserted from the back of the centraltrain receiving area and pulled outwardly and inserted into the front ofthe lower train receiving area. The train is then pulled backwardly andupwardly such that the end of the train will enter the upper trainreceiving area. The end of the train can then be pulled through theupper train receiving area so as to extend outwardly over the first barand the second bar so as to effectively conceal the device.

However, the bustling hook disclosed in the '232 patent has severaldisadvantages. First, it is very large and intended to be large enoughto receive the end of the train of a bridal gown. Therefore, because ofits size and method of use taught, it cannot be used with dresses andskirts or any other apparel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and 1B illustrate an example dress lift according to the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a method of using the dress lift of FIGS. 1A and1B.

FIG. 2C illustrates another method of using the dress lift of FIGS. 1Aand 1B.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate another method of using the dress lift ofFIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a second example embodiment of a dress liftaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of using the dress lift of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a dress lift are provided. In some implementations,the dress lift comprises a body portion having at least three openingswherein the openings define a first clothing receiving area, a secondclothing receiving area, and a third clothing receiving area. In someimplementations, the body portion of the dress lift may have the form oftwo overlapping hoops to produce the receiving areas. In someimplementations, the body portion is manufactured as a single unitarypiece. In some implementations, the body portion may be constructed astwo separate pieces.

In another implementation, the dress lift may comprise a body portionhaving a first side, a second side, and a curved member extending fromand raised above a portion of the first side of the body portion therebyforming a thru bore having a first opening and a second opening onopposing ends.

In some implementations, the dress lift may be secured to a dress orskirt and used to lift the bottom of the apparel off of the ground orfloor. This may prevent the bottom of the apparel from dragging on theground and being damaged.

In some implementations, the dress lift may be secured to an article ofclothing for decorative purposes. In some implementations, the dresslift may be secured to a dress, blouse, shirt, skirt, scarf, or belt. Insome implementations, the dress lift may be secured to any suitablearticle of clothing.

In some implementations, the dress lift may be used in conjunction witha belt. In some implementations, the dress lift may be secured about abelt for decorative wear.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example dress lift 100 according to the presentdisclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1A, in some implementations, the dress lift 100comprises a body portion 105 having at least three openings wherein theopenings define a first clothing receiving area 110, a second clothingreceiving area 115, and a third clothing receiving area 120. In someimplementations, the openings 110, 115, and 120 may be arrangedsuccessively in a linear fashion such that for each opening a portion ofthe opening is positioned on an imaginary line y as shown in FIG. 1B. Insome implementations, the openings 110, 115, and 120 may be the sameshape and/or size. In some implementations, the openings 110, 115, and120 may be different shapes and/or sizes. In some implementations, thedress lift may comprise a body portion having two openings wherein theopenings define a first clothing receiving area and a second clothingreceiving area.

In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 1A, the body portion 105 ofthe dress lift 100 may have the form of two overlapping hoops to producethe receiving areas 110, 115, and 120. In some implementations, the bodyportion 105 may be any suitable shape to produce the receiving areas110, 115, and 120.

In some implementations, the body portion 105 may have a centrallylocated first clothing receiving area 110. In some implementations, thefirst clothing receiving area 110 may have the general shape of an ovalor ellipse (see, e.g., FIG. 1A). In some implementations, the firstclothing receiving area 110 may be any suitable shape.

In some implementations, the second and/or third clothing receivingareas 115,120 may have the general shape of a crescent (see, e.g., FIG.1A). In some implementations, the second and/or third clothing receivingareas 115,120 may be any suitable shape.

In some implementations, the body portion 105 may be manufactured as asingle unitary piece as shown in FIG. 1A. In some implementations, thebody portion 105 may be constructed as two separate pieces. In someimplementations, the body portion 105 may be manufactured from metal. Insome implementations, the body portion 105 may be manufactured from anysuitable material.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an example method of securing the dress lift100 to an article of clothing. As shown in FIG. 2A, in someimplementations, to secure the dress lift 100 to an article of clothing,a portion 150 of the clothing may be grasped and pulled through thefirst clothing receiving area 110. In particular, a portion 150 of theclothing may be inserted through the back side of the first clothingreceiving area 110 of the dress lift 100 and then pulled from the backside of the dress lift 100 through the first clothing receiving area110. Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the pulled portion 150 of the clothingmay be inserted through the front side of the second clothing receivingarea 115 and pulled towards the back side of the dress lift 100.

Alternatively, after the portion 150 of the clothing has been insertedthrough the back side of the first clothing receiving area 110 of thedress lift 100 and pulled from the back side of the dress lift 100through the first clothing receiving area 110, in some implementations,the pulled portion 150 of the clothing may be inserted through the frontside of the third clothing receiving area 120 and pulled towards theback side of the dress lift 100.

FIG. 2C illustrates another example method of securing the dress lift100 to an article of clothing. As shown in FIG. 2C, to secure the dresslift 100 to an article of clothing, a portion 150 of the clothing may begrasped and pulled through the third clothing receiving area 120. Inparticular, the portion 150 of the clothing is inserted through the backside of the third clothing receiving area 120 of the dress lift 100 andthen pulled from the back side of the dress lift 100 through the thirdclothing receiving area 120. Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, the pulledportion 150 of the clothing is inserted through the front side of thesecond clothing receiving area 115 and pulled towards the back side ofthe dress lift 100.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate another example method of securing the dresslift 100 to an article of clothing. As shown in FIG. 3A, to secure thedress lift 100 to an article of clothing, a portion 150 of the clothingmay be grasped and pulled through the third clothing receiving area 120.In particular, the portion 150 of the clothing is inserted through theback side of the third clothing receiving area 120 of the dress lift 100and then pulled from the back side of the dress lift 100 through thethird clothing receiving areas 120. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, thepulled portion 150 of the clothing is inserted through the front side ofthe first clothing receiving area 110 and pulled towards the back sideof the dress lift 100.

Alternatively, to secure the dress lift 100 to an article of clothing, aportion 150 of the clothing may be grasped and pulled through the secondclothing receiving area 115. In particular, the portion 150 of theclothing is inserted through the back side of the second clothingreceiving area 115 of the dress lift 100 and then pulled from the backside of the dress lift 100 through the second clothing receiving areas115. Next, the pulled portion 150 of the clothing is inserted throughthe front side of the first clothing receiving area 110 and pulledtowards the back side of the dress lift 100.

In some implementations, the dress lift 100 may be oriented horizontally(see, e.g., FIG. 2A). In some implementations, the dress lift 100 may beoriented vertically (see, e.g., FIG. 3A). In some implementations, thedress lift 100 may be oriented in any suitable orientation.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another example dress lift 200 according tothe present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in someimplementations, the dress lift 200 comprises a body portion 205 havinga first side 206, a second side 207, and a curved member 210 extendingfrom and raised above a portion of the first side of the body portion205 thereby forming a thru bore 215 having a first opening 215 a and asecond opening 215 b on opposing ends.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in some implementations, the body portion205 of the dress lift 200 may be generally circular. In someimplementations, the body portion 205 may be any suitable shape.

In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the curved member210 may be configured such that the thru bore 215 is a half cylinder. Insome implementations, the curved member 210 may have the general form ofan arch. In some implementations, the curved member 210 may be anysuitable shape capable of receiving a portion of an article of clothing.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method of securing the dress lift 200 toan article of clothing. To secure the dress lift 200 to an article ofclothing, a portion 250 of the clothing may be grasped and pulledthrough the thru bore 215. In particular, a portion 250 of the clothingis grasped and inserted through a first opening 215 a of the thru bore215 and then pulled from the first opening 215 a of the thru bore 215through the second opening 215 b of the thru bore 215. As shown in FIG.5, the second side 207 of the dress lift 200 may be facing outwardly. Insome implementations, the first side 206 of the dress lift 200 may befacing outwardly.

In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 5, thedress lift 100, 200 may be secured to a dress to lift the dress. In someimplementations, as shown in the figures, the portion 150, 250 of theclothing grasped and pulled through the dress lift 100, 200 can be anyportion of the dress, and not just the end or edge or hem of the dressor clothing. In some implementations, the portion 150 of the clothinggrasped and pulled through the dress lift 100, 200 may be any gatheredmaterial of the clothing. In this way, the gathered material pulledthrough the dress lift 100, 200 may cause the dress to be lifted, forexample, away from the ground. In some implementations, the dress lift100, 200 can be secured to a scarf, t-shirt, belt, skirt, and/or anyother article of clothing.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or“implementation” or words of similar import means that a particulardescribed feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at leastone embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in someimplementations” or a phrase of similar import in various placesthroughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combinedin any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the abovedescription, numerous specific details are provided for a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the inventioncan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown ordescribed in detail.

While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order,this should not be understood as requiring that such operations beperformed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or thatall illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

1. A method of securing an apparatus to an article of clothing whereinthe apparatus comprises a body portion having a first clothing receivingopening and a second clothing receiving opening, the method comprising:gathering material of the clothing together and inserting the gatheredmaterial through the first clothing receiving opening from a back sidethereof and pulling the gathered material through the first clothingreceiving opening; and inserting the pulled portion of the gatheredmaterial through the second clothing receiving opening from a front sidethereof and pulling the gathered material through the second clothingreceiving opening.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein gathering materialof the clothing together comprising gathering enough material to liftthe article of clothing from the floor or ground.
 3. The method of claim1 further comprises orienting the apparatus in a horizontal position. 4.The method of claim 1 further comprises orienting the apparatus in avertical position.
 5. A method of securing an apparatus to an article ofclothing wherein the apparatus comprises a body portion having a firstside, a second side, and a curved member extending from and raised abovea portion of the first side of the body portion thereby forming a thrubore having a first opening and a second opening on opposing ends, themethod comprising: gathering material of the clothing together andinserting the gathered material through a first opening of the thrubore; and pulling gathering material through the thru bore and thru thesecond opening of the thru bore.
 6. The method of claim 5 whereingathering material of the clothing together comprising gathering enoughmaterial to lift the article of clothing from the floor or ground. 7.The method of claim 5 further comprises orienting the apparatus in ahorizontal position.
 8. The method of claim 5 further comprisesorienting the apparatus in a vertical position.
 9. A method of securingan apparatus to an article of clothing wherein the apparatus comprises abody portion having a first clothing receiving opening, a secondclothing receiving opening, and a third clothing receiving opening, themethod comprising: securing the apparatus to the article of clothing ina first method, the first method comprising: gathering material of theclothing together and inserting the gathered material through the firstclothing receiving opening from a back side thereof and pulling thegathered material through the first clothing receiving opening; andinserting the pulled portion of the gathered material through the secondclothing receiving opening from a front side thereof and pulling thegathered material through the second clothing receiving opening.
 10. Themethod of claim 9 further comprising securing the apparatus to thearticle of clothing in a second method, the second method comprising:gathering material of the clothing together and inserting the gatheredmaterial through the third clothing receiving opening from a back sidethereof and pulling the gathered material through the third clothingreceiving opening; and inserting the pulled portion of the gatheredmaterial through the second clothing receiving opening from a front sidethereof and pulling the gathered material through the second clothingreceiving opening.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein gathering materialof the clothing together comprising gathering enough material to liftthe article of clothing from the floor or ground.
 12. The method ofclaim 10 further comprises orienting the apparatus in a horizontalposition.
 13. The method of claim 10 further comprises orienting theapparatus in a vertical position.
 14. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising securing the apparatus to the article of clothing in a secondmethod, the second method comprising: gathering material of the clothingtogether and inserting the gathered material through the third clothingreceiving opening from a back side thereof and pulling the gatheredmaterial through the third clothing receiving opening; and inserting thepulled portion of the gathered material through the first clothingreceiving opening from a front side thereof and pulling the gatheredmaterial through the first clothing receiving opening.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein gathering material of the clothing together comprisinggathering enough material to lift the article of clothing from the flooror ground.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprises orienting theapparatus in a horizontal position.
 17. The method of claim 10 furthercomprising securing the apparatus to the article of clothing in a thirdmethod, the third method comprising: gathering material of the clothingtogether and inserting the gathered material through the third clothingreceiving opening from a back side thereof and pulling the gatheredmaterial through the third clothing receiving opening; and inserting thepulled portion of the gathered material through the first clothingreceiving opening from a front side thereof and pulling the gatheredmaterial through the first clothing receiving opening.
 18. The method ofclaim 17 wherein gathering material of the clothing together comprisinggathering enough material to lift the article of clothing from the flooror ground.
 19. The method of claim 17 further comprises orienting theapparatus in a horizontal position.
 20. The method of claim 17 furthercomprises orienting the apparatus in a vertical position.